Sabine Baring-Gould

“ Even supposing he has made a mistake, we ought to give him the helping hand, and put him in a position where he can make amends.”
“My dear Jane,” said Mrs. Estcourt, and she set her lips. “Excuse me If I speak unpleasant truths. How do you know, how does Mr. Warnacre know, that what he proposes to undertake will be successful? There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. With the very best and most honorable intentions, he may miscarry. Then what will become of you?” ”

“ She certainly was greatly attached to Mr. Warnacre. She had never cared for any man previously, never had gone into a gentle flirtation even.
Her younger sister was at school, finishing her education, but when they day of the marriage was fixed, she was brought home that she might serve as bridesmaid to her sister.
Emily—this schoolgirl—was far prettier than Jane who was to be married, and what money there was, left by the mother, went equally in shares to each sister. ”

“ And he has had such trials and troubles—he has lost her, and does not know where poor John is.”
“Jane, it won’t do. Excuse my bluntness. Suppose the whole thing fails. Where would you be? If your little income is gone, then you will be penniless in your old age. Now that means—” Mrs. Estcourt moved uncomfortably in her chair. She was going to say a harsh thing, but did it only because she believed nothing else could save Auntie. “That means, Jane, that you will come upon me. I will not see you turned out of your cottage to starve. ”

“ He was very desirous that his sister-in-law should see the Squire, who as M. P. might be able to use influence to obtain him a post under Government.
Auntie was shy of asking a favor. Timid and retreating, she would have asked nothing for herself, but for another she would do a great deal. After a battle with her timidity, she did go to the Hall, and had an interview with Mr. Estcourt, who valued and admired the dear old lady, and he readily admired the dear old lady, and he readily promised to see what could be done for Mr. Warnacre. ”

“ Reserve to yourself so much as you can live on. Say, keep as much as was expended on yourself when you were sending that boy to school. That alone will satisfy me.”
At length Mrs. Estcourt carried her point. She extorted a solemn, reluctant promise from the old lady, and that she would not go beyond her word Mrs. Estcourt knew very surely.
And well was it for the little Auntie that this interview had taken place, for within a twelvemonth all she had given to Mr. Warnacre was gone, and gone without return of interest or principal. With it also Mr. Warnacre had disappeared. ”

“ Warnacre did not venture back to the village, but carried off his wife at once to India.
After a while Auntie’s friend became Mrs. Estcourt, and then this latter lady insisted on Jane taking a cottage on her husband’s estate, so as to be near her. She desired to befriend her, and befriend her she did. But the condition of life of a great country Squire’s wife, and the wife of a man who aimed at becoming representative of his county in Parliament, and that of a solitary lady, with moderate means, in a cottage, and without connections in the place, were so diverse, that much as Mrs. ”

“ And the world is dishonest; cursed cheats men are. It is no place for a man of genius and integrity.”
“But what will you do?”
He coughed again and sank back, looking deadly in his exhaustion.
“It is a shame, my troubling you with questions. Kate, Kate, get hot water, and bread and meat, and a tumbler, and I will unlock my cellaret.”
Then, as the little maid bustled about fulfilling commands: “Oh, William! ”